Things Above.

Special prayer.

Jesus had a special prayer- remember the following?

Luk 22:44  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

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 'Such prayer usually leads us to seek “the things that are above” (Col. 3.2), and this is one of the requisites for preservation.' The Spiritual Man- by Watchman Nee

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

During His special prayer Jesus' mind was on the most heavenly of things- His own death and the salvation it would bring to all humans.  When we pray to our Heavenly Father instantly our mind is on the truth of our Heavenly Father's existence.  The EXISTENCE of heaven, the EXISTENCE of our place in heaven.

If our AFFECTIONS are on things in heaven, we cannot lose our heavenly treasures.  If our AFFECTIONS are on earth we risk losing them.   Does this mean we cannot love others? No, not at all. We are supposed to love without end, love unconditionally, love deeply as our Savior loves. His heart breaks for those lost to Him-  He said this-

Luk_23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 

We will love others, and our affection for them will be fierce but if we believe in our Savior and salvation then we know that the salvation of others is the most important of all the loving we could do.  Our affection for others must be based on their salvation through Jesus Christ.  Our affection for others must be one of the things that are above. Ultimately we long for our loved ones to know salvation as we know salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and one day we will all be in our heavenly home.

More on this tomorrow by the grace, by the mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!

Amen!